Featured articles
A few specially selected articles from each new edition will be available in this convenient space. Access all editions here.
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The Road of Our Heritage
Discover the amazing Romanian Diaspora women ambassadors of Via Transilvanica (VT) as they contribute to the global fabric of their cultural heritage. The trail connects the diverse cultural and natural regions of Romania and unites Romanians to support its story. Based on an Interview with Dr. Aura Imbarus.Photos are of Romania’s cross-country trail, Via Transilvanica. Dr. Aura Imbarus is an acclaimed…
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Sometimes It’s Really Hard Living inside of Me.
She gifted me with the magic and beauty of the Island of Hawai’i.When it comes down to it, I kind of love flying. In the 65 years I’ve had on earth, I’ve finally learned that life is just a series of tragedies and miracles. It seems you can’t have one without the other, and what…
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When Yeah But Meets What If…
Here’s my story about premature assumptions. “I’m a freshman! I will go out for the high school baseball team and, since I am a freshman, I will sit the bench most every game.” My older brother Jon, home on leave from the Marines, was quizzing me. Being from a sports-minded family, he had asked about…
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The Picnic Paradise: Healthy in a Basket
As the sun starts to shine brighter and the days grow longer, it’s time to embrace the beauty of picnics. Whether you’re heading to the park, the beach, or your backyard, these picnic-perfect recipes are delicious and packed with nutrients to keep you fueled for all your warm-weather adventures. First, let’s prepare for a seamless,…
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Smarter Than the Average . . . Pup?
You thought I was going to say “smarter than the average bear,” didn’t you? Nope. My two Labradors team up like Yogi and Boo Boo and they get their paws on everything in sight! It is mostly the pup wonder. But Trooper has his moments! So you order a pizza and the doorbell rings. You…
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Need More Self-control?
Wouldn’t it be nice if we liked celery more than sweets? How about if we preferred doing chores and homework to playing video games, cornhole or pickleball? When it comes to willpower, some of us struggle more than others. So what can be done? According to “What You Need to Know about Willpower: The…
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Chips y Salsa, Anyone?
I recently went to Chips y Salsa Wine Bar for their grand opening in the charming downtown area of Florence, Colorado. I had an amazing time there! This historic city is the antique capital of Colorado. The Chips y Salsa Wine Bar complements that ambience with its striking décor, with intense pink, shiny gold and…
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Oh, Those Tantrums!
Have you ever seen a frazzled mom count menacingly at her child to make him stop misbehaving? I think we all have. I get the concept. I used to count, too. My son always straightened up by two. One day, he asked what happens on three? This savvy little boy was gearing up to test…
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Funk’s Little Red Corolla
In 1978, when Funk and I moved from West Virginia to Nashville, we traded-in his truck for a two-door Toyota Corolla. We were a one car household until our second born came along in 1989, at which time we purchased a van for me and the kids (eww!) and the ’78 Corolla became Funk’s car.…
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Bring Value
Last evening, I was at a networking event and a young man in his twenties asked me what was the most important thing he should learn as he starts his career. It was a good question, and I was delighted he asked me. My answer was formed only after I asked him questions of my…
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The Balancing Act: Managing Wellness and Chaos
In today’s fast-paced world, finding the time for fitness and nutrition can feel like a juggling act. Between work commitments, family responsibilities, and social engagements, prioritizing health and wellness often falls by the wayside. Yet, the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle and eating well cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to boosting energy,…
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Puppy Command
Well, our little pup has gone to doggie bootcamp. Yes, it is bittersweet. But Trooper, the Saint Pup, is enjoying a vacation from the mayhem that is the Pup Wonder! If you have ever had to board your dogs for a weekend or more, you know that it is hard to leave them. We got Mac…
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Bring Projects to Life with Crowdfunding
Every day, I get the opportunity to meet entrepreneurs with big ambitions and projects to bring to life. I feel strongly that when dreams are raised, our world is a better place. Many people love the idea of becoming an author, bringing their story to the world, and making a difference with their message or…
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Navigating New Year’s Intentions
As the New Year unfolds, many of us embark on a journey of personal transformation, often symbolized by New Year’s resolutions and goals. But how often do we pause to distinguish between these two? Understanding this difference is crucial to setting ourselves up for success. Resolutions vs. Goals Resolutions often represent the overarching themes or…
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Stop Focusing on the Mirror
Someone dear to me is struggling with emotional problems, self-esteem issues, and past trauma. “Annie” posted a meme on FB of a gorgeous woman in a slinky, dark green evening gown. She stands beside this caption: “In the Era of loving myself more.” Then, Annie added, “It’s not easy, but I’m doing it.” Dear Annie…
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Opportunities in Disguise
NOTE: How you prepare for the possibility of an unexpected change in conditions and circumstances can be a blessing disguised as something else. Watch for those opportunities; they rarely give you a warning. It finally happened. After doing all my research about the company, the competition and the individual who made the decisions about the…
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A Pup’s Life
Hello. I’m Trooper, Chris’ huge yellow Labrador. Well, Chris took his own advice from the last article. Remember this line? “If you find it in your heart and have the budget, get yourself a dog!” Chris welcomed a chocolate Lab puppy named Mac into the family! He is ten weeks old. His mother survived the…
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Universe? Pick on Someone Your Own Size!
Recently, Funk and I replaced an incredibly ugly coffee table with a more stylish piece from Anthropologie. Ever since, he’s been stubbing his size 16 feet on the legs and howling like a little baby. And of course, every time he does, I fall into a heap of laughter on the floor. One day not…
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Resilience . . . a Required Skill for Today’s Workplace
The amount of change we have all experienced over the past five years is pretty significant, and change can impact our resilience. As the saying goes, we can’t pour from an empty cup. Now more than ever, resilience is a required skill to help employees succeed and grow with the organization, build respectful healthy relationships,…
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It’s a Brand-New Year!
Happy New Year! There’s a magical feeling on the first day of a new year. It’s turning a page to a fresh chapter, embracing the opportunity for a sparkling, clean slate. Whatever I achieved or didn’t, it’s all in the past now, and I can chart my course anew. There is beauty in the ability…